Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Brighton vs Fort Collins: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Brighton, CO and Fort Collins, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Brighton, CO
$106,490
$51.20/hr
Fort Collins, CO
$110,692
$53.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBrighton, COFort Collins, CO
Median Salary$106,490$110,692
Hourly Rate$51.20$53.21
Entry Level (P10)$86,311$85,026
25th Percentile$92,981$91,631
75th Percentile$123,437$128,900
Top Earner (P90)$140,005$148,532
Total Employed744
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Brighton ($106,490) and Fort Collins ($110,692) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.BrightonFort CollinsMedian Salary$106,490$110,692Entry Level (P10)$86,311$85,026Top Earner (P90)$140,005$148,532US Median $106,398

Verdict

Fort Collins, CO offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Brighton.

The salary gap between Brighton and Fort Collins is $4,202 (3.95%). Fort Collins's median is +4.04% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Brighton spans $53,694,Fort Collins spans $63,506. Fort Collins has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nuclear medicine technologists.

Brighton
P10 (Entry)$86,311
P25$92,981
Median$106,490
P75$123,437
P90 (Top)$140,005
Fort Collins
P10 (Entry)$85,026
P25$91,631
Median$110,692
P75$128,900
P90 (Top)$148,532

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Collins ($105,421 effective) pays 3.95% more than Brighton ($101,419 effective).

Brighton
Nominal: $106,490
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $101,419
Fort Collins
Nominal: $110,692
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $105,421

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Brighton if…

  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Fort Collins if…

  • Higher median salary ($110,692/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($148,532)
  • Larger job market (44 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,421)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Brighton grew -0.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 35.9% growth in Fort Collins over the same period.

Brighton, CO

+-0.6%

$102,088 (2024) → $101,458 (2025)

Fort Collins, CO

+35.9%

$77,630 (2022) → $105,461 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Brighton or Fort Collins?

Fort Collins has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $110,692/year, compared to Brighton at $106,490/year — a difference of $4,202 (3.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Brighton and Fort Collins?

Brighton nuclear medicine technologists earn $51.20/hr while Fort Collins hygienists earn $53.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Brighton to Fort Collins as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Brighton and Fort Collins. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Brighton = $101,419, Fort Collins = $105,421), job availability (7 vs 44 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Brighton vs Fort Collins?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $86,311 in Brighton and $85,026 in Fort Collins. The Brighton area offers higher starting salaries.
AC

Written by Alexandra Chen, MS, CNMT

Career Analyst

Alexandra has 10 years of experience in nuclear medicine. She specializes in PET imaging at a community hospital. She analyzes trends in the nuclear medicine job market.

Clinically reviewed by David Martinez, BS, CNMTData verified by Fatima Nasir, MS, CNMT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.96% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, MS, CNMT, a licensed nuclear medicine technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov